Dr Oluyinka Oni, a paediatrician at the Child Health Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, has warned that untreated heatstroke could damage the brains of an infant.
Oni said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Ibadan.
He said: “Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles of an infant.
“As the damage worsens, treatment is delayed and risks of complications leading to death, increases.
“Heatstroke, which can also happen to the elderly patients, requires an emergency treatment.”
According to Oni, heatstroke is a condition caused by the body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures.
He explained: “This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition is most common in the hot seasons in Nigeria or the summer months in other climes.
“Signs and symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature of 104F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer.
“Altered mental state or behaviour, like confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma, can all result from heatstroke.
“In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, the skin will feel hot and dry to the touch.
“However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, the skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
“More likely symptoms of heatstroke may include nausea, vomiting, rapid and shallow breathing.
“The pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body, and the head may ache.’’
According to the paediatrician, heatstroke can be caused by excessive exposure to a hot environment, adding that being in a hot environment leads to a rise in core body temperature.
He said that this type of heatstroke typically occurs after exposure to hot or humid weather especially for prolonged periods and this was also prevalent in older adults and people with chronic illness.
He explained further that exertional heatstroke was caused by an increase in core body temperature brought on by intense physical activity in hot weather.
He added that anyone exercising or working in hot weather could get exertional heatstroke, but it is most likely to occur if the person was not used to high temperatures.
Oni said: “In either type of heatstroke, your condition can be brought on by wearing excess clothing that prevents sweat from evaporating easily and cooling your body.
“Other causative factors include drinking alcohol, which can affect your body’s ability to regulate your body temperature.
“Becoming dehydrated by not drinking enough water to replenish fluids lost through sweating is also a cause.”
The expert also said that age, exertion in hot weather, lack of air conditioning and certain medications are risk factors for heat stroke.
He said: “Some medications affect your body’s ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat.
“Be especially careful in hot weather if you take medications that narrow your blood vessels (vasoconstrictors), regulate your blood pressure by blocking adrenaline (beta blockers).
“Rid your body of sodium and blocking adrenaline (beta blockers), rid your body of sodium and water (diuretics), or reduce psychiatric symptoms (antidepressants or antipsychotics).’’
Oni therefore advised parents never to leave babies and their toddlers in a car parked under the sun.
He said that this was a common cause of heat-related deaths in children.
He said: “When parked in the sun, the temperature in your car can rise 20 degrees F (more than 6.7 C) in 10 minutes.’’
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